Hidden away amid the crests of the Andes Mountains, this site exudes magic and mystery. "Machu Picchu" means "old peak" in Quechua. Ancient Peruvian cultures revered sacred mountains, considering them to be the dwelling places of powerful earth gods. Indeed, at this spot, one cannot help but feel awed by nature's grandeur, while at the same time marvel at man's ingenuity in the sweep of the terraces and the beauty of the perfectly carved stones.

Often called "the Lost City of the Incas," the ancient fortress was constructed as a mountain retreat for the Inca rulers but was abandoned during Spanish conquest, unknown to the outside world until an American archaeologist, Hiram Bingham, discovered it in 1911. It was recently named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.